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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

In software news that Mac users might be excited about VMWare has announced the availablility of Fusion 2.0 beta.

Enhancements in the new beta release include support for multiple displays, tools for easier switching to VMware Fusion, experimental support for DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 2 3D acceleration, the ability to import Parallels Desktop and Virtual PC for Mac virtual machines, improved printing, and user interface refinements.

One of the really great things about the switch to Intel processors has been the ability to use fast virtualization technology to make using Windows on a Mac almost as easy as using Mac OS X.

Most Mac users will never need to use Windows. Even the switchers who start out using it will eventually find they need to use it less and less as time goes on. But for those of us who do have to use it (I have to use Windows for my job) being able to use VMWare Fusion, or Parallels Desktop (that's what I use) makes the entire process seamless. And the really great thing about having these two products is they each drive the other to make their software better and better.

I've tried both products and they each have very similar features, but they are both top of the line products that have no equals in their category. So if you find your self needing to run Windows on your Mac, and don't really need to boot it natively, then try both of these products and choose the one you like best.

Oh, and check out what VMWare has in store for present Fusion 1.0 owners. The upgrade to 2.0 will be free. You can't beat that deal with a stick!